ATHLETICS Cox loses Athens relay gold over doping offence

The American Crystal Cox has been stripped of the 4x400m relay gold medal she won at the Athens Olympics. Cox, the Athens relay alternate, was banned for four years in 2010 for doping. The US Anti-Doping Agency had said Cox used prohibited anabolic agents between 2001 and 2004. The International Olympic Committee's executive board, however, did not make any decision on the other relay runners in the team, saying it was up to the International Association of Athletics Federations to decide if all the runners on the USA team would be stripped of their medals. The other members of the US squad from 2004 squad are Monique Henderson, Monique Hennagan, Sanya Richards and Deedee Trotter.

TICKETS Moynihan: reward troops

The head of the British Olympic Association has called for any spare tickets to go to some of the troops drafted in at short notice to cover the shortfall in security staff. Colin Moynihan, chairman of the BOA, said it would be a way of thanking the military personnel, many of whom have had to give up their leave following active service to cover the London Games. "I'm not responsible for tickets but if anyone deserves to fill any empty seats it's those forces in their down time," Lord Moynihan said. "It makes a lot of sense – if there are some tickets available, let's respect their tremendous contribution and say thank you." Some 3,500 have been brought in after G4S failed to provide the necessary staff. PA

OPENING CEREMONY Ceremonial 'solution'

A "mutually agreed solution" to choose the person who lights the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony has been settled on, according to one of the two people making the decision. The identity of the person is supposed to remain secret until Friday's ceremony, but according to reports there has been a row between the BOA and the London 2012 chairman, Sebastian Coe, as to who should have the honour. The BOA's chief executive, Andy Hunt, refused to say whether the person chosen would be an Olympian, but said: "The debate is ongoing. We have a mutually agreeable solution – a good solution to the outcome. We are still in final discussions." PA

FENCINGChief to leave post

Piers Martin is to step down as British Fencing's chief executive after the Games, with Peter King, the former CEO of British Cycling, to take the role on an interim basis while a successor is found. PA